Fresh photographs of President Donald Trump have revealed heavy makeup caking the back of his right hand, apparently concealing a dark bruise that appears to be bleeding through. The images, taken on Wednesday after a meeting with coal miners at the White House, have sparked renewed interest in the 79-year-old leader's physical condition and medical history.
White House Explanation and Contradictory Evidence
When questioned about the president's bruised appearance, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a straightforward explanation. "President Trump has bruises on his hand because he's constantly working and shaking hands all day every day," Leavitt stated, characterizing Trump as a "man of the people" whose physical marks resulted from his vigorous engagement with supporters and officials.
However, this justification faces scrutiny given photographic evidence showing similar bruising on Trump's left hand—which is not typically used for handshakes. During his recent appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump was photographed with dark, discolored bruises on both hands, with his left hand appearing particularly affected.
Conflicting Accounts and Medical Context
The president himself has provided varying explanations for the bruising. When questioned by reporters after returning from Davos, Trump claimed he had "clipped them on a table." In other instances, he has attributed the bruising to his daily aspirin regimen.
Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, Trump's personal physician, confirmed that the president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for "cardiac prevention." This dosage significantly exceeds the standard 81 milligrams typically recommended for cardiovascular protection. Medical experts have expressed concern about this elevated intake.
"I read the report that he was taking 325mg of aspirin, and that is only recommended for people who've had a stroke to prevent a second stroke from a partially blocked artery," Dr. Bruce Davidson told The Daily Beast.
Historical Pattern of Bruising
Trump's hand bruising is not a recent development. The phenomenon was first documented in February 2025 during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. An NBC News analysis later revealed that Trump exhibited bruising on his hands at least twice during the late summer and fall of 2024, though these instances received limited attention at the time.
Interestingly, former President Joe Biden was also photographed with a bruise on the back of his hand in January 2025, shortly before leaving office, though his bruise appeared smaller than those observed on Trump.
Broader Health Concerns and Observations
The White House has previously confirmed that Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition affecting circulation in the legs that commonly occurs in elderly individuals. Despite this, Trump has consistently dismissed concerns about his health.
"Physically and mentally, I feel like I did 50 years ago," Trump told NBC's Tom Llamas during a pre-Super Bowl interview last week.
Nevertheless, critics have pointed to various behaviors they interpret as signs of potential cognitive decline. During his Davos appearance, Trump repeatedly confused Iceland with Greenland. In a memo complaining about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, he appeared to mix up Norway and Denmark while discussing his interest in acquiring Greenland for the United States.
Documented Instances of Unusual Behavior
Additional observations have fueled speculation about Trump's health. In early January, during a meeting with oil and gas executives in Washington, D.C., Trump abruptly stood up from the table, wandered to a nearby window, and stared at construction on his ballroom project.
Photographs have captured Trump seemingly falling asleep during meetings and losing his train of thought mid-sentence. In January, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a former cardiac doctor for Vice President Dick Cheney and current CNN medical analyst, shared an image of Trump apparently sleeping at his desk.
"Repeatedly falling asleep with a dozen people surrounding your desk is not normal," Reiner commented. "It needs to be evaluated."
The Independent has reached out to the White House for additional comment regarding these observations and concerns.
